The General Aircraft GAL 49 Hamilcar 1 was a large transport glider of wooden construction, designed to A.M. Spec. X.27/40 to carry a crew of two and either 60 troops or a flight 7-ton tank.
A hinged nose section was fitted for loading. The undercarriage was jettisonable mainwheels and two steel sprung main skids. Trailing edge flaps were fitted.
They were built by General Aircraft Ltd and various sub-contractors. The first flight of the prototype was on 27 Mach 1942.
Variation
General Aircraft GAL.58 Hamilcar
Wing span: 110.007 ft / 33.53 m
Wing area: 1657.441 sq.ft / 153.980 sq.m
Length: 68.012 ft / 20.73 m
Height: 20.243 ft / 6.17 m
Max take off weight: 36005.4 lb / 16329.0 kg
Weight empty: 18402.9 lb / 8346.0 kg
Aspect ratio: 7.3
Wing section: RAF 34 modified
Max. speed: 130 kts / 241 kph
Max tow speed: 241 kph / 150 mph
Stall: 104 kph / 65 mph
Landing speed: 57 kts / 105 kph
Wing load: 21.73 lb/sq.ft / 106.0 kg/sq.m
Crew: 1
All Aero 